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Thank you for your response. I have started work on developing a coherent and compelling story for my essays.

I also plan on using the optional essay to explain my grades. That said, I would like to do anything possible to mitigate them, even if it moves the needle the slightest bit in my favor. I believe all aspects of my profile are very competitive apart from my grades.

I have booked a consultation session to discuss this.
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In order to understand how to offset a low GPA best, you need to first understand the role it plays in the MBA evaluation process.

Your performance in your undergraduate program or any previous master’s program is used as an indicator of how well you will do academically as an MBA student. It gives the MBA adcom a sense of your academic ability – a tremendously important part of the evaluation of any MBA candidate.

The GPA also is a critical part of MBA programs class profiles and that’s an important point. Competitive class profiles are a source of pride for schools.

When you are trying to alleviate concerns about your low undergraduate GPA, there is nothing more powerful than a strong GMAT or GRE score. The GMAT and GRE are used as a predictor of academic success in graduate business school. In addition to helping reassure the MBA adcom that you are capable of handling rigorous academic studies, a strong (ideally higher than average) GMAT will help balance your weak GPA from a class profile and rankings perspective.

However, even a stellar GMAT won’t completely remove any doubt about your academic preparedness. In addition to mitigating, you may need to explain the circumstances that led to your lackluster GPA. Generally, a GPA below 3.2 will need to be addressed in your optional essay. This is a part many MBA candidates miss, especially when they have a strong GMAT.

You can find the full guide to the GPA in the MBA admissions process here: https://www.mymbapath.com/insights/gpa-mba-admissions

And here is a piece in how to handle the optional essay: https://www.mymbapath.com/insights/mba- ... onal-essay